What made you apply for the Doctor of Medicine (Rural Pathway) program?

Studying rurally was really important to me during my application process. I plan to return to work in rural Australia and wanted a program that gave first-hand insights into the health inequities in the bush. The University of Melbourne’s Rural Clinical School was the first of its kind established in Victoria which gave me confidence in my first-choice medical school.

The recently redesigned course recognises the importance of clinical exposure from the first few months which was important to me when selecting a medical school. I couldn’t pass up the offer to study so close to home either. My family, friends and local community have been some of my biggest cheerleaders throughout this journey.

What have been the highlights of the course so far?

My highlight has been the unparalleled access to three highly trained course facilitators most weekdays. The course facilitators offer their time for private or small group tutoring to work through first-year content and exam preparation. The clinical skills training provided by recent graduates of the Rural Clinical School and the dean of the school was well-supported by our clinical nurse educators and practical simulations.

All of the staff at the Shepparton campus have felt like my extended family and are invested in my success as a student.

What advice would you give to other students considering applying for the course?

Don’t delay your application! A Rural Pathway training program will open the door to life-saving and life-changing contributions that you can make to rural Australians and regional communities as a doctor.